Biopolymer provider NatureWorks offers building block units

NatureWorks, the company behind the packaging bioresin Ingeo is now offering customers the intermediate lactides as well as the finished biopolymer.

These building bock lactides are used by NatureWorks to create a number of different polymer grades that it commercialises under the Ingeo name for applications such as personal care, cosmetics and food packaging.

In addition to being able to purchase these finished biopolymers, NatureWork’s customers can now purchase the building block materials - the lactide - from the company.

The company expects interest from customers that want to make their own specialty co-polymers using the NatureWorks’ lactide, explained Steve Davies, global marketing director for the company.

“We anticipate that many of the customers for our lactides will be those interested in making…polymers formed by co-reacting lactide with other monomers, in order to create unique, new products suited to specialized applications,”​ he told CosmeticsDesign.com USA.

Improved eco-profile​

In addition, he mentioned that NatureWorks lactides have a better eco-profile than alternative fossil-based materials.

“NatureWorks lactides have a favorable profile in terms of significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage,”​ he said.

Currently NatureWorks retails its bioresins under the Ingeo brand and use of the brand, the trademark and supporting material may be made available for lactide customers under certain conditions.

The Minnesota-based company expanded its manufacturing facility in 2009 that allowed it to double the Ingeo biopolymer supply.

With this latest move the company claims it is boosting further growth of the field of bio-based material.

Ingeo resins have been used in a number of cosmetics brands including Cargo Cosmetics and Shiseido, and Davies said demand in the sector is growing.